Swine Flu

Don't panic, just be alert!

The first thing I want to tell all is "Don't Panic!", before we talk about the Swine Flu virus and its probable treatment. There is a need to get alert.

What is Swine Flu infection?

Everyone knows about and may have suffered with influenza or flu infection. Flu is an infection caused by certain virus, which comes, stays for a few days and goes away. Similarly, Swine Flu is also a kind influenza virus. Here, the difference is that it can be more severe than regular flu infection.

Why is it called H1N1?

All virus have been named. H1N1 is a name given to the Swine flu virus. In the same group, there are some related virus-named as H1N2, H2N3, etc.

What are the symptoms of Swine flu?

The symptoms are similar to regular flu:

Fever

Cold

Cough

Runny nose

Body ache

Sore throat

Chilliness

Backache

Pain in joints

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

Lack of appetite

Low energy

Where do you get it from?

Swine flu being a viral disease, it spreads from a person suffering with the same virus. It spreads through air, by sneezing and coughing, and touch of the affected patient. A sneeze or a cough of a patient can through millions of Swine flu virus in the air.

Congested places such as closes room, classroom, office, train, bus, mall, etc are sources of infection, as one infected person could spread it to many healthy patients.

Who is at higher risk?

Those who are already suffering with poor resistance.

Children having tuberculosis
Elderly people above 65 years
Children below five years
Patients with diabetes or other disease which lowers vitality
Pregnant female
HIV positive patients
Patients with heart, lung, liver or kidney disease
Patients who are on immunosuppressive medicines for other diseases
People with tremendous physical or mental stress
Patients on cortisone or chemotherapy

Why is so much of Panic about Swine flu?

Well, swine flu is now an pandemic, which means the entire world is at risk. Since the disease spread rapidly and it can have serious consequences, there is obviously threat to life.
It is important to get alert and extremely careful about:
Controlling the spread
Timely treatment

What happens to Swine flu patient, finally?

Swine flu infection, like most other viral infections, is likely to subside eventually; whether treated or not. However, some of the patients are at risk of turning into a serious medical condition called ARD (Acute Respiratory Distress syndrome), which may turn even fatal.

How to diagnose Swine flu?

The diagnosis test is done using nose and throat swab at the laboratory. Many labs are able to conduct this test for the cost of about USD 30. Some countries have control over the test. In India, as on today, only the government run hospitals are allowed to conduct the test.

Treatment for Swine Flu:

For conventional treatment, please consult your local doctor.

Homeopathic treatment for Swine Flu

The doctors, conventional as well a the homeopathic, have limited experience so far about the treatment of Swine flu, as the infection is new to the humans.

However, on the basis of the nature of the disease and its pathophysiology, we can opine that homeopathic is likely to work well in the cases of Swine flu, since homeopathy has well established role in the treatment of many viral diseases.

We can recommend homeopathic medicines which are likely to help cases of Swine flu, which may work by enhancing the immune system. The medicines are also likely to work as preventive in some cases. However, such statements would always go with the disclaimer that no claims are being made for its cure or prevention.

Commonly indicated homeopathic medicines:

Depending on the individual symptoms of the patients, one or more of the medicines could be prescribed: Influenzinum, Gelsemium, Arsenic albub, Rhus toxicodendron, Occilococcinum, etc are some of the common medicines. They can also be used as a part of probable preventive measure.

Precaution:

If you have recently visited a country or place/city under Swine flu attack or have met a person suffering from the infection, it is advisable to get a test done.

What to Do for Avoiding Swine Flu:

Always cover your mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing

Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth frequently as there is always some virus on tabletops, telephones and computers

Wash your hands frequently

Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers

Wear a well-fitted mask in public places

Drink loads of water and get enough sleep

Try to avoid close contact with sick people

Stay away (3-feet distance) from people who have a respiratory infection

Use disposable tissues

Swine flu is not a food borne illness so there is no restriction on food and drinks.

Special Note:

Swine flu is most contagious in the initial five days. In the case of children, it can be contagious up to 10 days. If you have already got it: Please confine yourself to a room. Wearing a mask is a must and Keep yourself away from social gathering, your work place and other public places, to avoid spreading the infection to others.